Why is blood taken from the ring finger? We will find the answer to this question in our article. We will also tell you how the procedure for collecting material occurs and how you need to prepare for the study.
Every person, at least once in his life, has gone to the laboratory for such a blood test from a finger prick. This is the most common way to examine the condition of the body. When a person comes to take this test, the laboratory assistant asks him to prepare his ring finger for blood sampling. It is worth thinking about why medical workers ask him to stretch it in order to take material from it for research. It is also worth saying that even some laboratory assistants do not know the answer to this question.
Process Features
Why is blood taken from the ring finger? Now let's look at this issue. It's actually not that complicated. The answer to the question of why blood is taken from the ring finger is related to the anatomy of the hand. The fact is that when the material is collected, a puncture is made to the person.
This means that the skin is damaged. If the skin is damaged, there is a possibility that an infection can enter the body through the resulting wound and the infection process can begin. To ensure that no foreign elements leak out after blood sampling, the person is given cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution. It must be fixed at the puncture site for several minutes to ensure the disinfection process.
Why is blood taken from the ring finger? human anatomy
The structure of the human hand is designed in such a way that if any infection enters the human body through the ring, middle, or index finger, then it spreads only there for a certain time. As for the other two, namely the thumb and little finger, the infection will directly spread to the hand. If an infection gets into the hand, it can spread to the arm. As a result, infection of the entire body can occur.
Why is blood taken from the ring finger from an anatomical point of view? The fact is that the nameless one is less involved in any functions. Therefore, blood is taken from it. When the finger is not exposed to any external influences, it heals faster. The ring finger is not particularly active. Namely, he is minimally involved in processes such as typing text on the keyboard, writing, etc. The wound on it will heal faster than on the index or middle fingers.
How is blood taken?
How is material for a blood test taken from a finger? Blood is a unique material for determining the state of the body. Therefore, when a person goes to a medical institution, he is required to donate blood for testing. Based on the data obtained from the laboratory, the doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, which will lead to a speedy recovery of the patient.
A finger prick blood test is a very informative method that allows you to determine what disorders a person has in the body. For example, an increased level of leukocytes indicates that an inflammatory process is underway.
This examination is called clinical or general. Blood that is taken from a finger also has its own name. It is called capillary. Laboratory testing of the collected material determines the number of cells and their quality. There are normal indicators: in what quantities which cells should be present in human blood. If a laboratory test reveals that there are deviations of any indicators up or down, this means that there is a pathological process in the body. Perhaps there is inflammation or there is a tumor.
Blood analysis
Blood tests were done by absolutely all people, from newborns to the elderly. This method of determining a person’s condition is basic. It allows you to quickly and effortlessly determine the patient’s condition and draw conclusions about his state of health. Also, a blood test is mandatory for pregnant women, since during pregnancy it is very important to monitor the condition of the expectant mother. During this period she is in a risky position. Here we are talking about the condition of the expectant mother and the normal development of the child.
How does a blood test work?
Material from the finger is taken for analysis by a special medical worker - a laboratory assistant. He carries out this procedure wearing gloves. They protect it from blood getting on the skin, because patients who come to donate blood may be infected with any diseases.
Therefore, a medical worker is obliged to protect himself and them. The law does not require changing gloves after each procedure, the main thing is that there is disinfection. Therefore, if a person is worried about the sterility of gloves, then he can take his own to the procedure and ask the laboratory assistant to put them on before drawing blood.
Preparing for a blood test. What to do and what not to do?
Before donating blood, you should make special preparations. This is necessary for the analysis to be reliable. There are certain preparation rules.
1. Blood should be donated on an empty stomach. Therefore, before this event, the last meal should be eight or ten hours.
2. A few days before the blood sampling procedure, it is recommended to remove fatty and spicy foods from your diet. You should also give up drinks that contain alcohol and other bad habits.
3. You should not exercise. It is advisable to limit yourself from any stress, even if it is work-related. You should not tax your body physically before donating blood. Exercising may affect test results.
4. It is necessary to take care of the nervous system. You need to be in a calm state. Since stress and anxiety also affect the blood. Because of which the result may be incorrect.
5. You cannot smoke before donating blood from your finger. This bad habit changes the analysis indicators.
How do you get the material?
How is a general blood test taken? There are two ways to collect material for human blood testing:
- A rapid test to determine the amount of hemoglobin in a patient’s blood. This method also allows you to determine the level of ESR. Typically, express research is carried out when there is an urgent need to obtain results. Such a case may occur during emergency hospitalization and preparation of the patient for surgery.
- A routine blood draw in a laboratory allows you to find out how much red and white cells, red and white cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and other trace elements are contained in a person’s blood.
A little conclusion
As mentioned above, blood is taken from the ring finger. We have described in detail how this is done. In addition to the above reasons for taking blood from this particular finger, there is one more.
It is due to the fact that the ring finger of the left hand (for right-handed people) has thinner skin than the rest. Of course, this property is controversial. But such an argument has a right to exist. If we start from the fact that this finger is least involved in any actions, then it is possible that the skin on its pad is actually more delicate than on others.
We found out how to prepare for a blood test. Note that the laboratory assistant works in gloves, which are treated with a special solution. According to the rules, of course, disposable instruments are used. They are unpacked directly in front of the patient. So the person who came to donate blood can directly control the safety issue himself. Now there are special lancets that hide the needle inside the body. They are usually used to collect blood from young children (up to three years old). These lancets contain a very thin needle, which makes the puncture almost painless. The baby will feel almost no pain.
It is prescribed at almost every doctor’s visit and blood is always donated during medical examinations. This research method is informative and accessible, thanks to which you can assess the condition of the body. A finger prick blood test in medical practice is called a general or clinical analysis.
Blood from a finger for examination allows you to diagnose sugar levels, the number of blood cells, and other blood cells. Decoding the data allows you to determine the presence of inflammatory processes.
A finger blood test helps identify various pathologies: disorder, leukemia, infectious diseases. If a malfunction occurs in the body, this is always reflected in the composition of blood cells. After treatment of any disease, a finger prick blood test is also prescribed to monitor and ensure the effectiveness of treatment.
Such an analysis is always given during pregnancy to assess the condition of the fetus and the mother’s body. The woman experiences significant stress, so some values may deviate from the norm, but this does not always indicate pathology.
Each of the analysis indicators has its own meaning.
The purpose of the procedure depends on the age and condition of the patient. For children and adults, a blood test is performed to determine the child's general condition. The procedure may have a simplified or expanded version.
How to take blood from a finger
On the day of the study, the patient comes to the medical facility early in the morning. He sits down opposite the laboratory assistant and puts his hand on the table. Next, the laboratory assistant treats the pad of the ring finger with an antiseptic and lightly dries it with dry cotton wool. Then the laboratory assistant punctures the finger with a disposable needle 2-3 mm.
The first drop of blood is removed with a cotton ball, and the next drops are collected into a special adapter.
During the procedure, the finger should not be squeezed, as blood may mix with tissue fluids and, as a result, the analysis will be unreliable.
The blood is placed in a test tube, which is pre-labeled.
After drawing blood, a cotton pad moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the puncture site. You need to hold it for about 5-7 minutes until the bleeding stops. This procedure is carried out for adults and children over one year old.
For newborn children, the procedure is slightly different. The puncture is made not on the toe, but on the side of the heel. To reduce pain in a child, automatic sterile lancets are used.The result can be found out on the day of blood donation, in some cases after 1-2 days.
How to prepare for the procedure
Before donating blood from your finger, you need to prepare for the procedure. This is necessary in order to obtain reliable information. It is important to remember that results may vary under certain conditions.
- Do not eat before the test. In the morning you can only drink water. Dinner should be no later than 8-10 hours before the procedure.
- The day before, you should avoid eating smoked, fried and spicy foods. All this affects the test results.
- The day before blood sampling, you need to avoid physical activity.
- Serious emotional shocks must be avoided.
- You must notify your doctor and laboratory technician about long-term use of medications. It is important to know that some medications can be stopped the day before the test, while others can be stopped a week before. The results may be affected by taking the following medications: antibiotics, aspirin, multivitamins, oral contraceptives, etc.
- It is not recommended to smoke a few hours before the test.
- It is undesirable to carry out other instrumental methods 24 hours before the blood test. They are safe, but radiation, ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation can have different effects on blood cells.
- Physiotherapy procedures may affect the clinical analysis, so it is better to carry them out after blood sampling.
- If prescribed at a time when a woman is menstruating, the therapist should be notified about this. It is also necessary to inform the doctor about the onset of pregnancy and menopause.
Main indicators and their norm
Deciphering a finger blood test has the following indicators:
- . This protein takes part in the transport of oxygen to organs and back carbon dioxide. The normal concentration is 120-160 g/l. If the level of hemoglobin in the blood is insufficient, insufficient oxygen is supplied to the tissues. This usually develops with certain hereditary diseases, as well as in case of large blood loss.
- . These are red blood cells involved in the transport of oxygen. The normal level of red blood cells for women is 3.7-4.7 g/l, and for men – 4-5 g/l. A low level of red blood cells is observed with anemia, overhydration, etc. A high level indicates diseases, neoplasms, Cushing's disease.
- . White cells that protect the body from various infections. In the results, their norm is 4-9 × 109/l. Leukocytes below normal may indicate a number of pathological conditions: leukemia, typhoid fever, etc. A high level of white cells is observed with meningitis, pneumonia and other inflammatory processes.
- . The main function of platelets is to participate in... The normal concentration is 180-320×109/l. Low concentrations are usually observed with hemolytic disease, and high concentrations with polycythemia, tuberculosis, etc.
- Hematocrit This is the percentage of blood cells to plasma volume. The normal value for women is 36-42%, and for men within 40-45%. A decrease in hematocrit can occur with some autoimmune and infectious diseases.
- Neutrophils. Cells that neutralize foreign microorganisms. They should be no more than 70% in the blood. An increase in neutrophils indicates purulent and inflammatory diseases in the body.
- . This is an indicator of the level of proteins in the blood plasma. The norm for women is 20 mm/h, and for men – 15 mm/h. A decrease occurs with hyperbilirubinemia, erythremia, and an increase in bile acids in the body. An indicator above the norm indicates inflammatory and infectious processes, diseases of the liver, kidneys, disruption of the endocrine system, etc.
- . A subtype of leukocytes that perform a protective function. Normally, the content is in the range of 1-4.5 × 109/l. If the cell content is below normal, then a person may develop autoimmune diseases, pneumonia, etc. High concentrations are observed in viral diseases, tuberculosis, thyrotoxicosis, etc.
- Color index. This is the relative concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. Normally, the value should be in the range of 0.85-1.15%. A color value below normal indicates anemia, and above normal indicates folic acid deficiency or polyposis.
You can learn more about the finger prick blood test from the video:
It should be remembered that it is impossible to make a final diagnosis only by general analysis. The information content of this method is useful for further examination of the patient. Any deviations from the norm cannot be ignored.
A finger prick blood test is carried out not only to identify any diseases, but also for preventive purposes. Timely examination allows you to identify pathology at the initial stage and avoid possible complications.
When visiting a doctor in case of illness or for a preventive examination, a number of laboratory tests are prescribed, among which the most common is a finger prick blood test. The most commonly prescribed is a general blood test. The principles of this research are well known to everyone since childhood. Patients, as a rule, know why they take blood from a finger for this examination. The examination should be carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. This procedure is very easy, the result is known the next day.
Purpose
Blood is taken from a finger in order to:
- determine the composition of blood cells during a general examination;
- express diagnostics of blood sugar levels (in this case, a special device is used - a glucometer);
- express test to detect the level of total cholesterol (subsequently, venous blood donation is required to detail the results).
Preparation
- To obtain a more accurate result, a general blood test is taken from a finger prick in the morning (before 10 o’clock).
- Blood is donated on an empty stomach; you can have your last meal 12 hours before blood collection. On the day of the study, you are allowed to drink only clean water.
- For several days before the examination, it is recommended to exclude very fatty foods and alcohol from the diet.
- Also, a few days before the finger prick blood test, you should temporarily avoid heavy physical activity and try to worry less.
- Immediately before blood collection, smoking is not allowed.
Carrying out
There are two options for performing a general blood test:
- In the case of the first, laboratory assistants do an abbreviated analysis, which displays only the level of hemoglobin, blood cells and determines the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, that is, ESR.
- The second option involves conducting a detailed blood test, which also covers indicators such as hematocrit, average hemoglobin content in an erythrocyte, quantitative and qualitative composition of leukocytes, average erythrocyte volume and others.
When scheduling a clinical examination, the patient may have a question regarding what is used to prick the finger when blood is taken from it. Due to the increased risk of infection with blood-borne diseases, primarily hepatitis and AIDS, in modern laboratories over the past decades, only disposable instruments have been used to collect biological material, which are removed from the packaging, which is opened in front of the patient.
To directly pierce a finger, devices such as scarifiers, sterile needles, and lancets for piercing a finger are used. If you use the first two, the puncture is more painful.
Today, laboratory technicians are increasingly inclined to use modern automatic instruments in which the lancet is placed inside a plastic case.
The advantages of scarifiers are safety, smaller needle sizes (helps reduce pain), ease of use, automation of the process (thanks to the trigger device, accidental release of the blade is eliminated) as well as the psychological factor (the patient, not seeing the needle, worries less).
Fence rules
- The equipment necessary for the procedure is prepared (sterile material, 70% ethyl alcohol solution or alcohol-containing antiseptics, disposable instruments, labeled slides and test tubes).
- Psychological preparation of the patient is carried out, during which the essence and methodology of the subsequent examination is explained to him and consent to conduct it is obtained.
- The patient is seated opposite the healthcare worker performing the blood draw and asked to place his hand on the table.
- The fingertip from which blood is taken is treated with an antiseptic and dried with a dry sterile cotton ball.
- Using a disposable instrument (scarifier, needle or lancet), a puncture is made to a depth of 2–3 mm.
- The first drop of blood is removed with a dry sterile cotton pad.
- To carry out the analysis, use the next ten drops of blood, which the laboratory assistant collects by gravity or draws into a special adapter. You should not squeeze your finger during the procedure, as this will lead to mixing of blood with tissue fluids, and the results of the blood test may be unreliable. The blood is placed in a special labeled tube with a reagent.
- After the procedure, a sterile cotton ball moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the injection site and held for 5 to 7 minutes until the bleeding stops completely.
It should be noted that the principles of collecting blood from a finger are the same for adults and children over 1 year of age. There are some peculiarities in carrying out this procedure in newborns and children under 1 year of age.
They consist in choosing the puncture site (it is done on the lateral areas of the heel) and in choosing the instrument with which device to take blood from infants. When working with this group of patients, automatic sterile lancets are used to reduce the sensation of pain in the child during skin puncture and blood sampling from a finger.
A completely logical question may arise as to why, for clinical research, capillary blood is taken primarily from the ring finger of the left hand, since blood is the same everywhere in the body.
Indeed, laboratory technicians use blood from the ring, middle or index fingers for this analysis. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the human body. At the time of puncture there is always a risk of possible infection. In this case, the inner shells of fingers such as the thumb and little finger are directly connected to the inner shells of the hand.
If infected, the infection from these fingers will quickly spread to them, and then in a short time will spread to the entire hand. The membranes of those fingers that laboratory assistants select are isolated and, in case of infection, the infection will remain only in them for some time, which makes it possible to quickly suppress it. In addition, the advantage of the ring finger is that it is the most “non-working” one on the hand. As a result, the skin on its pad is thinner, which reduces the patient's pain to a minimum.
Also, since the ring finger moves less than others, the wound after a puncture heals faster on it, which also serves to prevent infection.
sostavkrovi.ru
Why is analysis needed?
Many patients in clinics and hospitals are first sent for a finger prick blood test. In addition, similar research is being carried out in preventive measures. Today, studying samples of so-called capillary blood is the most accessible and at the same time informative method. After all, its results give the doctor the opportunity to determine the condition of the entire body.
Thanks to such laboratory tests, it is possible to establish a more or less accurate blood formula, as well as determine its group and the presence of the Rh protein factor in it. In addition, a general analysis allows you to find out the level of hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Determination of the blood formula: why is it needed?
Laboratory research allows you to determine the approximate number of formed blood cells, which makes it possible to determine the general condition of the body. After all, it’s no secret that almost any disease entails a change in the blood formula. What exactly do laboratory technicians and doctors pay attention to?
What is ESR?
During a general blood test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is determined. The results of this analysis are not specific - they indicate the presence of certain disorders, but do not provide information about the reasons for their occurrence. The essence of the study is simple - the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells in plasma depends on their ability to aggregate (stick together). Normally, ESR is 2-15 mm per hour in women and 1-10 mm per hour in men. A change in the indicator may be an indirect sign of inflammation and some other pathological processes.
How to donate blood from a finger? Preparation rules
It should immediately be noted that there are many factors that can affect the composition of the blood and some of its properties. This is why many people are interested in the question of how to donate blood from a finger correctly. In fact, the rules here are very simple:
- They take a blood test from a finger prick in the morning, always on an empty stomach. Laboratory tests will be most accurate only if samples are taken 8-12 hours after the last meal. That is why in most clinics blood sampling is carried out from 7.00 to 11.00.
- In the morning you are allowed to drink only a small amount of plain water (not carbonated, not sweet).
- The only exceptions can be cases when the patient is suspected of some serious, serious illness, in particular myocardial infarction, appendicitis, acute pancreatitis - in such situations you cannot wait until the morning.
- Under no circumstances should you donate blood if you drank alcohol the night before. The presence of alcohol in the body can distort the test results, so it is best to reschedule the test for another day.
- Experts recommend avoiding intense physical activity before collecting samples, as well as visiting saunas, steam baths, and taking a cold shower. Strong effects on the body of external factors can affect the blood formula.
- Immediately before the test, do not rub your fingertips, as this may affect the number of white blood cells in the formula.
This is what the rules look like on how to donate blood from a finger prick. Do not neglect the recommendations, because incorrect test results can affect the final diagnosis.
Finger blood sampling: algorithm
The previous paragraph described preparation for the study. But how is blood taken from a finger performed? The algorithm looks something like this:
Where can such an analysis be done?
As already mentioned, a finger prick blood test is prescribed to almost every patient who consults a doctor with health complaints. This is the simplest, most accessible and informative study that provides the specialist with information about the general condition of the patient’s body.
Therefore, blood sampling, as well as laboratory testing, is carried out in almost every hospital and clinic. There are also private diagnostic clinics offering the same service. If you have any questions about where to donate blood from a finger prick, then you just need to ask your doctor about it.
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The time is approaching for the next tests before vaccinations, and I imagine in advance how my daughter’s finger will be pierced and how she will cry.
She shared her experiences with her mother. She works as a nurse. After my lamentations about the pain and the crying child, she offered to buy a scarifier at the pharmacy. “Scari...what?” - I asked. “A scarifier,” my mother answered and explained that this is a safe analogue to the old lancets.
Advantage new scarifiers is that the blood collection procedure is almost painless and comparable to a mosquito bite.
This procedure is painless because instead of a blade, a thin needle is used, which is hermetically hidden in a capsule. This needle is not visible either before or after the procedure. Once the needle has completed its task, it is retracted into the capsule, preventing it from being used again.
And minimal contact with the external environment and the hands of medical staff reduces the risk of virus infection to zero.
Considering that in our clinic, laboratory assistants use the SAME gloves for everyone and simply wipe their physical tissues. solution, then for me this is a very important factor in the safety of my child.
In addition, the needle injures the skin to a much lesser extent, so the wound heals faster.
The appearance of the capsule is also not alarming. And if a child sees some kind of iron thing in the hands of a doctor, he will be scared. But a baby can even hold a plastic capsule in his hands or see it as a toy.
It's very easy to use. All you have to do is place the scarifier on your finger and press the button. The child will not even have time to get scared, and the analysis will already be taken.
There are special children's scarifiers for collecting blood from newborns from the heel and for collecting blood from a vein with a vacuum mechanism.
Such scarifiers are very inexpensive, within a few rubles.
I immediately read the reviews of mothers who had already used the new scarifiers and decided that this was the one I would use for my next blood test.
I will definitely post how we passed the tests with the new scarifier!
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Automatic lancet
What is a lancet for collecting blood from children? This is a device with a plastic body into which blood is taken from the finger of a child or adult.
Such devices are used for taking capillary blood, general analysis and measuring sugar. The design includes a needle that children cannot see, so they can sit quietly and not be afraid to donate blood from their finger.
The needle is small in size, triangular in shape, and made of special medical steel.
The needles are called automatic lancets, are disposable, and extend from the body when
pressing the button. Only then does the finger pricking device come into contact with the skin and the analysis is taken.
The needle is hidden behind a cap that screws on. This makes the device convenient to use for both older children and newborns.
The doctor is also protected because the device prevents him from accidentally hurting himself. The needle appears only when the button is pressed.
An automatic lancet is considered a very reliable and economical device that helps to take blood from a finger.
There are a huge number of companies that produce such products, which are in great demand in medicine today. Among the general characteristics, the following are distinguished:
- The device is universal, and the needle is disposable. A clean, sterile needle is used for each patient.
- Lancets have different color marks, which allows you to control the number of samples taken, their volume, features and skin type.
- It is used not only for drawing blood, but also for making a puncture puncture in the ear and heel.
- The needle is a 25G type, with a puncture depth of 1.5 to 1.8 mm.
- Devices can be sold with different numbers of needles - from 50 to 200 pieces.
- Sometimes a thicker needle is used, and the puncture has a greater depth, which is associated with the type of skin and its condition.
A lancet for drawing blood from a finger to determine blood sugar levels is the same needle for a glucometer, which is selected based on the patient’s individual indicators.
Suitable for children are lancets for glucometers, which are considered ultra-thin, have a thickness of 0.25 to 0.8 mm, and their length is 1.2 - 1.8 mm.
The needle is sharpened by a laser, which makes the puncture almost invisible. As a result, the wound heals quickly and little blood appears on the finger.
The most popular among doctors are lancets, which are universal and automatic. Although there are also mechanical devices.
Before using a glucometer needle, it must be sterilized. Needles should be stored for no longer than 3 months, so their consumption must be carefully planned so as not to buy extra ones.
Using the lancet
The positive qualities of this device include the following factors:
- Devices designed for collecting blood do not cause pain or bruises, and there is no wound left after the puncture.
- The depth of the puncture does not depend on how hard the nurse pricks the needle.
- The device can be reused.
- The design is sterile, it is packaged in a special container, which is opened before use. But before this, the packaging must be treated with special gamma rays.
- The duration of blood sampling is only a few seconds. Universal lancets help to obtain the most reliable analysis results. Manual puncture with a conventional scarifier affects the blood and reduces the reliability of the examination results, while a lancet helps to obtain more accurate analysis data. The blood immediately enters the device, so it does not interact with air.
- The device can be used at home. It can be used by diabetics to measure glucose without visiting the hospital.
- The puncture site heals quickly, which allows injections to be given to babies up to one year old.
Lancets should be used according to the following scheme:
- First you need to treat with gamma radiation.
- Then remove the sealed packaging by turning it 90º.
- Unscrew and remove from the device (scarifier) the special cap that protects the needle.
- Press the device tightly against your finger.
- Press the button, pressing the body against the skin.
- Collect the required amount of blood.
Lancets used for children are disposable, so the devices must be disposed of after the procedure.
The device cannot be reused because after the analysis is taken, the needle is retracted back into the body and blocked.
This helps protect patients from injury and infection. The device with the collected material must be submitted to the laboratory for examination, which will help to conduct additional tests and detect infections, if the baby has any.
To measure blood glucose levels at home, you need to use another device. For these purposes, a lancet is used, which is universal and inserted into the glucometer.
This helps to save a lot on needles. Before discarding the device, it must be sterilized.
What types of lancets are there?
The doctor decides what type of device to use. If this needs to be done at home, then you should consult a therapist.
This is due to the fact that there are a huge number of lancets that differ from each other. Typically, the devices that are available in pharmacies are represented by the following models:
- The Medlance Plus automatic lancet comes in two types: blue - universal, with a needle length of 1.8 mm, and lilac, which is used for children. The latter have slightly thinner needles and are designed to penetrate to a depth of 1.5 mm.
- Qlance also comes in two colors - purple and blue. In the first case, the needle has a diameter of up to 0.45 mm, and the volume of blood that can be taken is 100 μl. The blue device is intended for adults as the needle diameter is about 0.89 mm.
- The orange scarifiers are Vitrex Sterilance Lite II. They stab quite deeply - up to 1.8 mm.
- Prolance devices come in four colors - green, blue, indigo and yellow. The needle diameter ranges between 1 and 1.8 mm. Typically used for testing on adults.
- MimiСollect models are available in purple and are also suitable for adults. The puncture depth can reach 1.2 mm.
- The Acti-lance model is available in two variations: disposable and universal. Disposable ones are purple in color and pierce the skin to a depth of 1.5 mm. And the universal lancet is blue, has a thicker needle and makes a puncture up to 1.8 mm.
- Automatic MR scarifiers are manufactured by the Chinese company Zhen Wu. There are a large number of models that are suitable for collecting capillary blood and obtaining general analysis results.
The most expensive and high-quality models are Medlance and Qlance.
According to reviews from patients, in particular young mothers, children tolerate this procedure well and behave calmly.
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Why do they take blood from a finger: the purpose of the procedure
Blood from a finger test allows you to diagnose sugar levels, the number of platelets, red blood cells, leukocytes and other blood cells. Decoding the data allows you to determine the presence of inflammatory processes.
A finger prick blood test helps identify various pathologies: bleeding disorders, anemia, leukemia, infectious diseases. If a malfunction occurs in the body, this is always reflected in the composition of blood cells. After treatment of any disease, a finger prick blood test is also prescribed to monitor and ensure the effectiveness of treatment.
Such an analysis is always given during pregnancy to assess the condition of the fetus and the mother’s body. The woman experiences significant stress, so some values may deviate from the norm, but this does not always indicate pathology.
Each of the analysis indicators has its own meaning.
The purpose of the procedure depends on the age and condition of the patient. For children and adults, a blood test is performed to determine the child's general condition. The procedure may have a simplified or expanded version.
How to take blood from a finger
On the day of the study, the patient comes to the medical facility early in the morning. He sits down opposite the laboratory assistant and puts his hand on the table. Next, the laboratory assistant treats the pad of the ring finger with an antiseptic and lightly dries it with dry cotton wool. Then the laboratory assistant punctures the finger with a disposable needle 2-3 mm.
The first drop of blood is removed with a cotton ball, and the next drops are collected into a special adapter.
During the procedure, the finger should not be squeezed, as blood may mix with tissue fluids and, as a result, the analysis will be unreliable.
The blood is placed in a test tube, which is pre-labeled.
After drawing blood, a cotton pad moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the puncture site. You need to hold it for about 5-7 minutes until the bleeding stops. This procedure is carried out for adults and children over one year old.
For newborn children, the procedure is slightly different. The puncture is made not on the toe, but on the side of the heel. To reduce pain in a child, automatic sterile lancets are used. The result can be found out on the day of blood donation, in some cases after 1-2 days.
How to prepare for the procedure
Before donating blood from your finger, you need to prepare for the procedure. This is necessary in order to obtain reliable information. It is important to remember that results may vary under certain conditions.
- Do not eat before the test. In the morning you can only drink water. Dinner should be no later than 8-10 hours before the procedure.
- The day before, you should avoid eating smoked, fried and spicy foods. All this affects the test results.
- The day before blood sampling, you need to avoid physical activity.
- Serious emotional shocks must be avoided.
- You must notify your doctor and laboratory technician about long-term use of medications. It is important to know that some medications can be stopped the day before the test, while others can be stopped a week before. The results may be affected by taking the following medications: antibiotics, aspirin, multivitamins, oral contraceptives, etc.
- It is not recommended to smoke a few hours before the test.
- It is not advisable to conduct ultrasound, MRI and other instrumental methods 24 hours before a blood test. They are safe, but radiation, ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation can have different effects on blood cells.
- Physiotherapy procedures may affect the clinical analysis, so it is better to carry them out after blood sampling.
- If a blood test is ordered while a woman is menstruating, the GP should be notified. It is also necessary to inform the doctor about the onset of pregnancy and menopause.
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Why is capillary blood taken?
Blood is taken from a finger in the following cases:
- for general analysis to determine cellular composition;
- to determine the glucose level (in this case, blood is also taken from a vein, but the sugar level will be slightly different, which is normal);
- express analysis to determine the level of total cholesterol (venous blood is required for a more detailed study).
Preparation rules
- To donate blood from a finger prick, you need to come to the laboratory in the morning (usually collection occurs from 7.30 to 10 o’clock).
- The test must be taken on an empty stomach, that is, you cannot eat in the morning, you can only drink plain water. The last meal should take place the night before - no later than 8-12 hours before the procedure.
- You can eat a day earlier, but it is recommended that a day or two before the analysis, in order to avoid getting distorted results, you should avoid fatty foods and alcoholic beverages.
- The day before, you should avoid physical and emotional stress.
- In the morning before the procedure, you should refrain from smoking.
General analysis
It can be shortened or expanded. The first option includes indicators such as the level of hemoglobin and all blood cells (erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes), as well as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
In a detailed analysis, other indicators are added, including:
- hematocrit;
- width of red cell distribution;
- average erythrocyte volume;
- average content of hemoglobin in the red cell;
- leukocyte formula and others.
Tools
Many people are concerned about their own safety during the test, so they may have questions about what is used to pierce and take blood. Today, almost all medical institutions have switched to using disposable finger pricking instruments. This tool is called a scarifier. It must be removed from the unopened package in front of the patient. It should be said that such a puncture is quite painful, so children really do not like the procedure.
Today, donating blood can be painless. A new device is being used more and more often when blood is taken. This is an automatic lancet in a plastic case. The needle quickly penetrates the skin, so pain is not felt. The new lancets have many advantages:
- the sterile needle or blade is located inside the body, which ensures the safety of patients and medical personnel;
- the reliability of the trigger mechanism eliminates accidental release of the needle or blade;
- reuse is eliminated thanks to the automatic return of the needle or blade;
- the shape of the needle ensures a reduced pain effect;
- the puncture is targeted, its depth is controlled;
- convenient body shape.
Fence algorithm
To work, the laboratory assistant must prepare:
- sterile scarifier;
- cotton wool;
- alcohol;
- tincture of iodine;
- ether.
The algorithm and technique for taking are as follows:
- The patient sits opposite the laboratory assistant. The hand (usually the left) lies on the table.
- The puncture site is disinfected with alcohol and degreased with ether.
- Using a disposable scarifier, a puncture is quickly made in the pad of the ring finger, immersing the tool to the full depth of the cutting part (approximately 2-3 mm).
- The first drop of blood is removed using dry cotton wool.
- For the study, use the second and subsequent drops of blood, which are collected using a glass adapter, then placed in test tubes and signed.
- After the blood has been taken, the injection site is treated with alcohol or iodine and clamped with a cotton swab until the blood stops completely.
The algorithm for collecting capillary blood from a child is exactly the same as from an adult.
Why from the ring finger?
Perhaps someone is interested in which finger the blood is taken from and why. The sampling occurs from the ring finger, although it is allowed from the middle or index finger. A puncture, like any violation of the integrity of the skin, can lead to infection. The ring, index and middle fingers have an isolated inner membrane, so if penetration occurs, the infection will first be localized, which means there is time to eliminate it. The thumb and little finger are directly connected to the lining of the hand, and when infected, the infection spreads to the entire hand. The choice of the ring finger is explained by the fact that it bears the least physical load.
What does the analysis show?
Taking blood from a finger is taken for preventive purposes, for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This is a basic examination, and the main, most necessary characteristics for doctors that blood shows are the following:
- hemoglobin level;
- red blood cell level;
- leukocyte level;
- relative content of lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils.
Using clinical analysis, doctors can diagnose the following pathological conditions:
- leukemia;
- anemia;
- bleeding disorders;
- the presence of an infectious or inflammatory process in the body.
Interpretation of results
- Hemoglobin level. The norm for women is 120-140 g/liter, for men – 130-160 g/liter. If the content is higher than normal, dehydration, intestinal infections, and congenital heart disease are possible. A low level indicates anemia.
- CPU (color index). The norm is from 0.85 to 1.15%. Low values indicate anemia; elevated values are observed with folic acid deficiency and stomach cancer.
- Red blood cells. The norm for men is 4-5 g/l, for women – 3.7-4.7 g/l. An increase in level indicates renal pathologies, tumors, Cushing's syndrome. A slight excess of the norm can be observed with diarrhea, taking diuretics, and burns. Low levels indicate anemia, overhydration, and blood loss.
- ESR. The red cell sedimentation rate is an indicator of the level of plasma proteins. Normally, in women – up to 20 mm/hour, in men – up to 15 mm/hour. A high level is typical for inflammatory processes, infections, autoimmune diseases, intoxication, endocrine, renal and hepatic pathologies, and oncology. The reasons for the decrease are circulatory failure, hyperbilirubinemia, erythremia.
- Leukocytes. The norm of white cells is 4-9X10⁹/liter. The reasons for the decrease are cancer with secondary tumors in the brain, diffuse connective tissue diseases, typhoid fever, viral hepatitis, leukemia. Increased levels are observed in bacterial and fungal infections, acute inflammation, purulent infections, pneumonia, otitis media, pancreatitis, bronchitis, meningitis, and so on.
- Platelets. The normal content of blood platelets responsible for blood clotting is 180-320X10⁹/liter. High platelet counts indicate the development of rheumatoid arthritis, polycythemia, tuberculosis, and myeloid leukemia. A reduced content accompanies thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic and hemolytic anemia, hemolytic disease, and lupus erythematosus.
Which blood is better to take for analysis - venous or capillary?
Externally, blood from a vein and from a finger are slightly different. Venous is darker blood, capillary is light blood. Patients often wonder why they take a venous one, if taking it from a finger is easier and more convenient. It is believed that the best laboratories in the world work with venous tissue, and its study using new methods gives more accurate results.
Finally
A finger prick blood test is a fairly informative method, although it only reflects the general condition of the body. Deviations from the norm of certain indicators cannot be considered confirmation of the presence of any diseases. Changes in the composition of the blood make it possible to suspect a developing pathology and undergo a specific examination at an early stage, when there are no symptoms. The result may be distorted if you do not follow the rules and donate blood not on an empty stomach, but after a meal. In this case, a repeat analysis is prescribed.
Blood testing is the most common method of laboratory diagnosis of the condition of the human body. Basically, specialists prescribe a general finger blood test to patients. We suggest you consider how to properly take a blood test from a finger prick, as well as what the result of this test can tell you.
How to take a finger prick blood test correctly?
Today, capillary blood testing is a fairly simple and informative diagnostic method. But due to the fact that false test results can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, the patient must adhere to some rules before conducting it, in particular:
- blood from a fingertip for examination must be taken on an empty stomach in the morning;
- the interval between the last meal and the analysis should be at least 8 hours;
- Before the analysis, it is recommended to avoid strong physical activity and not to visit a bathhouse or sauna;
- 24 hours before the test you must stop drinking alcohol.
It is advisable to undergo this test before starting medication therapy or no earlier than a week after stopping it, since some medications may affect the result.
Today, experts do not recommend rubbing your hands before performing a clinical finger blood test. They explain this by saying that this action can provoke an increase in leukocytes in the blood and, thus, distort the result of the analysis.
A clinical or general blood test from a finger prick is recommended not only for the purpose of diagnosing diseases, but also for prevention. It allows a specialist to detect an inflammatory or infectious process at an early stage and, accordingly, prevent possible complications. We propose to consider the key indicators of a general finger blood test.
- Hemoglobin (Hb) is a blood pigment that has a transport function, delivering oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissues. Its norm is 130–160 g/l in men and 120–140 g/l in women. A decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood indicates the development of anemia. Its increased value may indicate dehydration, intestinal obstruction, or congenital heart disease.
- Red blood cells (RBCs) are red blood cells that transport oxygen and support biological oxidation reactions. Their norm in the body of men is from 4.0 to 5.0 g/l, and in women – from 3.7 to 4.7 g/l. A decrease in their content occurs with blood loss, anemia, overhydration, and an increase may indicate the development of neoplasms, Cushing's syndrome and disease, and kidney pathology. A slight increase in their level in the blood is observed with burns, diarrhea, and taking diuretics.
- Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. As indicated by the interpretation of the finger prick blood test, the normal concentration of reticulocytes is 0.2–1.2%. This indicator may decrease with aplastic anemia, kidney pathology, and folate deficiency anemia. An increase in their level occurs with blood loss and such forms of anemia as hemolytic and iron deficiency.
- The color index (CI) represents the relative concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. The rate of this indicator is in the range from 0.85 to 1.15%. A decrease in CP may indicate anemia, and an increase may indicate folic acid deficiency, polyposis, or stomach cancer.
- Platelets (PLT) are platelets of blood formed from bone marrow cells and are responsible for blood clotting. Normally, their concentration in the blood is 180–320 × 10 9 / l. A decrease in their concentration is observed in diseases such as anemia (hemolytic, aplastic), thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. In turn, an increase in platelets accompanies inflammatory processes, myeloid leukemia, polycythemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and tuberculosis.
- White blood cells (WBC) are white blood cells responsible for the body's immune defense against various infections. Normally, the level of leukocytes in the blood ranges from 4.0 to 9.0 × 10 9 / l. Their reduced concentration is observed in diseases such as bone marrow hypoplasia, acute respiratory viral infections, typhoid fever, collagenosis, cancer with metastasis to the bone marrow, leukemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, viral hepatitis, rubella. In turn, their increased content can occur in acute inflammatory processes, sepsis, meningitis, otitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pancreatitis.
- The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicates the level of proteins in the blood plasma. The normal ESR content in women should not exceed 20 mm/h, and in men - 15 mm/h. A decrease in this indicator may indicate erythremia, CHF, increased concentrations of bile acids, and hyperbilirubinemia. A high level of ESR accompanies inflammatory and infectious processes in the body, pathologies of the kidneys, liver, endocrine system, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and intoxication.
- Lymphocytes play a major role in the body's immune defense. Their norm in the blood ranges from 1.0 to 4.5 × 10 9 / l. According to the interpretation of the finger prick blood test, a decrease in their levels is observed in diseases such as myocardial infarction, lymphoma, autoimmune diseases, HIV infection, pneumonia, and sepsis. An increase in the content of lymphocytes may indicate ARVI, thyrotoxicosis, tuberculosis, lymphocytic leukemia.
- Granulocytes are granular leukocytes that can respond to allergic and infectious processes in the body. The norm of granulocytes in the blood ranges from 1.2 to 6.7 × 10 9 / l. Their high concentration is observed in systemic lupus erythematosus, aplastic anemia, tuberculosis, pemphigus, scarlet fever, and acute rheumatism. And an increase in the level of granulocytes accompanies inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, ulcerative colitis, chickenpox, and Hodgkin's disease.
- Monocytes are immature blood cells that can absorb pathogens, dead body cells and foreign particles. Their norm is 0.1-0.6 × 10 9 / l. Their low concentration in a general blood test from a finger prick is observed in hairy cell leukemia, bone marrow pathologies, and radiation sickness. An increased level of monocytes in the blood may indicate leukemia, subacute endocarditis, tuberculosis, sepsis, lymphoma, brucellosis, malaria, syphilis, mononucleosis, toxoplasmosis.
Surely every person has thought at least once - why do they take blood from the ring finger? And not from medium or, for example, large. Well, there is a very clear answer to this question.
Expert opinion
Only a doctor can tell you more clearly and objectively. And that's what the doctors say. Blood is the same everywhere, but for testing it is usually taken from the ring finger, because a puncture that implies damage to the integrity of the skin is fraught with infection. Of course, not always, but anything can happen. So, the inner shells of the little finger and thumb have specifics - they are directly connected to the one that belongs to the hand. And if the infection gets into them, then its spread to the entire arm is guaranteed.
That's why they take blood from His shell is isolated. And even if the infection gets there, it will be localized. And this makes it possible to quickly suppress it and avoid unpleasant consequences.
However, there is another answer to the question of why blood is taken from the ring finger. It is believed that the blood vessels located in it go directly to our main organ - the heart. Therefore, they try to take blood from it (although it is still acceptable to use the index and middle fingers). And the reason is very clear. After all, cardiac activity is the basis of all blood circulation.
Practical approach
These are not all the reasons why blood is taken from the ring finger. The second, no less important, lies in its minimal performance. But really, where is the ring finger used? When a person writes, he is not involved. When typing on a computer - too (with the exception of journalists who use all fingers). In everyday situations it is also not required: when getting money, slicing bread, typing SMS on the phone, etc.
This means that the skin on the ring finger is the thinnest. And the puncture, accordingly, is not so painful. And this finger also moves less than the others, which promotes faster healing of the wound and reduces the likelihood of infection.
Does the hand matter?
This is also an interesting question. Many people are interested in why they take blood from the ring finger of the left hand? It's simple. Because most patients are right-handed. And, therefore, their right hand is constantly involved when performing this or that task. And so that after the procedure it is just as convenient and painless to do something, doctors use the finger of their left hand.
But! If a person is left-handed, everything is exactly the opposite for him. And he needs to warn the doctor about this - ask that blood be taken from the finger of his right hand. As mentioned at the very beginning, our biological connective fluid is the same everywhere. So the approach to the procedure in this case is of a purely practical nature.
What should you consider when taking the test?
So, why they take blood from the ring finger is clear. Now it’s worth listing the factors that a person should warn the doctor about before he takes a test from him. And this is what the patient must say:
- does he play sports?
- Is he subject to sudden physical activity that runs counter to his usual sedentary lifestyle;
- whether you took medications within 2 weeks before donating blood (since even ordinary painkillers or sleeping pills can distort the results of a medical study);
- whether he is a vegetarian;
- has chronic diseases;
- does he have carious teeth?
All these nuances will be taken into account when deciphering the analysis. Girls are even advised to clarify information about their monthly natural processes. Because the composition of the blood is affected by every process occurring in the body - even those that seem insignificant.
So, it’s clear what factors the doctor needs to be warned about and why they take blood for analysis from the ring finger. Finally, it is worth paying attention to an interesting topic, namely, the features of the ring finger.
At the beginning of the article it was said that he is the most motionless. And this finger is usually used along with the others - for grasping. Why? Because the fingers are united by their common tendons. The nameless one can be used separately, except in the case of playing musical instruments. And with professional typing.
It was also said above that the vessels from the ring finger lead directly to the heart. And the Egyptians and Romans, by the way, considered this not so much a physiological feature as a reason for a special purpose. Having interpreted this specificity in their own way, they began to wear wedding rings on their ring fingers. Which is still practiced to this day.
Finally, I would like to say that the fourth finger is not called the “ring” finger in all languages. Most often it is called “ring” or “ring”. In English, for example, it sounds like this: “ring finger”.
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